Philosophy is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language. It is a rational and critical inquiry that reflects on its own methods and assumptions.
Physics was originally part of philosophy, like Isaac Newton's observation of how gravity affects falling apples.
Aristotle was a major figure in ancient philosophy and developed a comprehensive system of thought including metaphysics, logic, ethics, politics, and natural science.
Portrait of Avicenna on a silver vase. He was one of the most influential philosophers of the Islamic Golden Age.
Ethics or moral philosophy is the philosophical study of moral phenomena. It investigates normative questions about what people ought to do or which behavior is morally right. It is usually divided into three major fields: normative ethics, applied ethics, and metaethics.
According to discourse ethics, as formulated by Jürgen Habermas, moral norms are justified by a rational discourse within society.
Philippa Foot was one of the philosophers responsible for the revival of virtue ethics in the 20th century.
The practices of compassion and loving-kindness are key elements of Buddhist ethics.